OUR COMMON HOURS

4 // 52

4 // 52 // Lillia and Zane

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: You’ve been really interested in baking and crafting this week, and you made us some delicious Minecraft-themed treats at Nanny’s house. You’re also in the process of “updating” your bedroom — painting wall murals and picking out curtain fabric. It’s fun and exciting to watch you explore your self-identity in these ways.

Zane: You had a tumble off Lillia’s bed (while trying to pounce on her, I must add) and hurt your lip. You cried a lot when it happened, but just minutes later you were saying, “I’m happy now!” You’re not the kind of person that spends much time dwelling on the negative. I could learn some things from you, I think.

3 // 52

3 // 52 // Lillia

3 // 52 // Zane

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: Your week began with an epic ice-skating performance in Boston (which you survived and perhaps even enjoyed) and ended with a tummy bug. Feel better soon, kiddo!

Zane: You impressed everyone at the orthodontist’s office this week. They couldn’t believe how many words you knew (like “skeleton”). You also discovered a love of painting with watercolors. I hope that as you grow you continue to pursue all of your diverse interests — from heavy equipment to art.

2 // 52

2 // 52 // Lillia

2 // 52 // Zane

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: You told me that there are no girls you can talk to about games and art. It won’t be like that forever. Right now you’re swimming in a very small pond, but someday you will make it to the sea and find there are lots of fish just like you.

Zane: You are a fearless explorer! After spying some snowmobiles on our walk the other day, it is now your heart’s one desire to own a “blue one” of your own. It gives your mama a heart attack to think about what the future will bring!

1 // 52

1 // 52 // Lillia

1 // 52 // Zane

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: You are changing so fast…too fast for me sometimes. But, I will do my best to keep up with you.

Zane: Those wide, wondering eyes! There’s nothing that escapes their gaze.

2014!

Happy New Year 2014

2013 was a great year, and I’m a little sorry to see it go…but I’m always excited about the possibilities that come with a new year. Last year I made 13 resolutions, and only stuck with half of them. This year, I’m going to try and narrow my resolutions down to things that I REALLY want to make happen. Quality vs Quantity, ya know?

So, here they are:

// Read Some Classics. I just made a list of books I’ve always wanted to read. I figured I’d start with ten, and if I get through all of these, I can always read more:

Middlemarch, by George Eliot // Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen // Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens // Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte // Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte // Emma, by Jane Austen // Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott // Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy // Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo // Sense & Sensibility, by Jane Austen

// Do the 52 Week Project — “A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2014”. This is pretty self-explanatory. I believe it originated with blogger Jodi Wilson (of Che & Fidel), and many of the blogs I read participated in 2013. I didn’t catch wind of it until a couple of weeks in, and since I hate starting in the middle of things I had to wait for the New Year to begin! I take so many pictures of my kids that this shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.

// Take Some Classes. Any classes, about anything. They can even be free. Now that I am done with school, I am scared that my mind will atrophy. I want to keep learning, always keep learning. I’ve got my first one lined up — Arrow & Apple’s Study of Light photography e-course. I’m really excited to learn more about using available light to take better photos.

// Leave My Savings Alone. I have a savings account that gets twenty dollars put into it every week. I constantly find myself transferring money from it for things I supposedly “need,” but really just “want.” By December 2014, I’ll have $1,000 saved if I don’t touch it.

// Write Lots of Snail Mail. This is something I have been working on for a couple of years now, but I really want to concentrate on it this year. If you’d like a letter from me, please add your contact info to my address book –> click here.

With only five resolutions, I expect to see a check mark next to every one of them on December 31, 2014! I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s Day!